Latest information on NSW bushfire devastation

On Friday morning, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service reported 100 fires were burning across the state, with 36 of those uncontained.

The first fire fatality was confirmed by Premier Barry O'Farrell, who said a 63-year-old man at Lake Munmorah had collapsed and died while trying to protect his home.

New South Wales Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers told 702 Breakfast there was "simply too much fire front" to take control of the fires affecting the Blue Mountains and further north, with conditions set to deteriorate again on Sunday and Monday.

"The terrain, particularly in the Blue Mountains is very difficult for fire containment. Our priority will be continuing to protect property, of course they'll be trying to work out strategies to contain paths of the fires."

From a devastated fire scene at Winmalee on Friday morning, Blue Mountains City Council Mayor Mark Greenhill described it having been a "terrible 24 hours".

"There are at least a dozen homes lost right where I'm standing now and we've lost scores of homes across the Blue Mountains."

"The fire that hit here was big, fast and incredibly intense...we had high winds, temperatures and dry conditions and that led to what I can only describe as a wild fire that has caused complete devastation."

"We've got lots of people without homes in the Blue Mountains."

Castlereagh resident Geoff, who's son was part of one of the first crews 'overwhelmed' by the blaze in the Blue Mountains, described the experience of yesterday's events to 702 Mornings.

"I actually think this morning he's a bit traumatised, by the things that they saw. They were looking at houses that they just couldn't save. There were hardly any crews early in the piece because it just came out of no-where."

"He said at one stage 'the bloke on the end of the hose was a metre away, I couldn't see him'."

Tune into ABC Local Radio for the latest fire information and follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay updated.

You can also keep up to date by following the ABC News live fire blog and find preparation information by visiting ABC Emergency, which contains links to the relevant emergency agencies.

If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

NSW Rural Fire Service advises affected residents to follow their Bush Fire Survival Plan. If you do not have a Bush Fire Survival Plan, ensure you know what you will do if the fire threatens your property.

If you live in the area but are away from home, it may not be safe to return to your property.

For major fire updates and a map of current fires and incidents visit the NSW Rural Fire Service. For the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line contact 1800 679 737.